Written by an internationally respected author, this book documents and discusses the impact of devolution, new public management and modern public sector accounting reforms on decision-making and democratic accountability. A welcome addition to the existing literature on new public management, in this book the author uses a range of sources, including more than seventy interviews with political representatives in parliaments and national assemblies, advisors and member governments and executives in five countries to explore the continuing changes in governance and governing and their spread to new nations and areas of activity. This book is an indispensable resource for students of all levels studying public finance accounting, public ownership, nationalization and devolution.